🥾 High Dune (3.0 miles, 629 feet elev. gain): High Dune is the tallest dune among the first line of dunes visible from the park’s visitor center. A walk across Medano Creek and a scramble up some steep dunes takes you to the summit of this dune, which offers incredible views of the surrounding park. If you’re willing to spend several hours among the dunes, consider hiking further to Star Dune, the tallest dune in North America.
🥾 Dunes Overlook (2.7 miles, 472 feet elev. gain): This short but steep trail departs from Piñon Flats Campground, taking hikers to a great overlook of the dunefield and the Sangre de Cristo mountains.
🥾 Mosca Pass (6.2 miles, 1,407 feet elev. gain): This hike gradually climbs up towards a mountain pass on the eastern side of the national preserve. As you gain elevation, you can catch interesting views of the dunefield peaking out from behind the rocks and forests around you.
🥾 Lower Sand Creek Lake (6.8 miles, 1,706 feet elev. gain): Located in the national preserve, this hike guides you to a beautiful alpine like surrounded by mountains and pine forests. Along the way, you can catch glimpses of the dunefield in the distance. The hike begins at Music Pass Trailhead, which requires a 4WD vehicle to reach. Vehicles with 2WD can park 2.5 miles from the trailhead… just be prepared to hike an additional 5 miles round trip.
🥾 Upper Sand Creek Lake (7.4 miles, 1,965 feet elev. gain): Upper Sand Creek sits near Lower Sand Creek, so this hike sees much of the same beautiful scenery mentioned in the previous hike. The hike begins at Music Pass Trailhead, the same trailhead as Lower Sand Creek. See the note regarding 4WD vs. 2WD vehicles.

🛷 Sandboarding: With such an abundance of sand dunes in the park, it’s no wonder that sandboarding and sand sledding are popular activities. There are several vendors near the park that offer sandboard rentals: the closest is the Oasis Store, open from spring to early fall.
🔭 Stargazing: As an International Dark Sky Park, Great Sand Dunes experiences exceptionally dark night skies. This makes it a great place to view the stars and the Milky Way, especially thanks to the viewing spaces offered by the dunes.
🌊 Medano Creek: This is a popular activity among families, especially in the summer. Medano Creek flows around the park’s dunefield, peaking in flow in May and June. In the summer months, it’s common to find families swimming, splashing, and tubing in the creek. Check the creek’s flow rate before your visit.
🌄 Watch a Sunset: At golden hour, the sun paints the dunefield and surrounding mountains in a stunning array of colors. Grab a spot on top of High Dune, drive to a viewpoint along the park entrance road, or hike the Dunes Overlook Trail to catch the sunset.
🚙 Medano Pass Primitive Road: If you have an AWD vehicle, driving the Medano Pass Primitive Road can be an exciting way to see the park’s backcountry mountain wilderness. The road is only open from spring through fall. Be sure to check the road conditions before your trip.

🥾 Zapata Falls: This 0.9-mile hike can be found only a few miles south of the national park. The waterfall is beautiful year-round, especially in the winter – when it’s frozen solid. When the waterfall is flowing, be prepared to wade through water for a few hundred feet to reach the falls. In colder months, get ready to slide around on some ice.
⛰️ Climb a 14er: Several 14ers sit just outside the national park in the Sangre de Cristo Range. Blanca Peak and Crestone Peak are two of the tallest peaks in Colorado, and other 14ers like Kit Carson Peak and Challenger Point reside in the range. Visit 14ers.com if you’re interested in bagging some peaks in the area.

📅 When to Visit: Late spring, summer, and fall are generally the best times to visit Great Sand Dunes. Be aware, however, that the temperatures of the sand in the summer can reach nearly 150 °F, so don’t hike among the dunes in the middle of the day.
⌚ How Long to Visit: 1 day is plenty of time to explore the dunes and hike one or two of the trails in the national park. If you want to explore the adjacent national preserve and/or enjoy the park at night, budget 2-3 days.
🚗 How to Get There: Great Sand Dunes is easy to reach by car. The visitor center is a 4-hour drive from Denver, and a 3-hour drive from Colorado Springs.
🛏️ Where to Stay: If you want to stay inside the park, camping is your only option. Piñon Flats Campground offers reservable campsites from April through October, and backcountry camping – including roadside camping on the Medano Pass Primitive Road – is allowed for those seeking a more rugged experience. Great Sand Dunes Lodge offers lodging just outside the park.
🧳 What to Bring: In addition to your usual hiking, camping, and/or backpacking gear, consider bringing a pair of sandals for navigating the dunes. If you plan to swim in the creek, bring a swimsuit. Sun protection is a must if you want to explore the dunes.

✅ DO check with a ranger before venturing out into the dunefield. Afternoon thunderstorms and hot sand temperatures can make hiking in the dunes dangerous, especially in the summer.
✅ DO consider hiking on the any of the trails in the mountains, to escape the crowds often present at the dunes.
❌ DON’T underestimate the heat of the sand dunes.